Sunday, April 1, 2012

It is easy to back Steven Gerrard in any game as a potential match winner. However, this season has been a little bit harder. Having said that, he has shown that just his presence on the pitch adds a significant star quality in the matches that Liverpool have played in this season.

Even in a more restrained role this term, he has been the most influential player in a Liverpool shirt. With Luis Suarez a marked man and unable to repeat his performances of last season, even a half-fit Gerrard looked far more a match winner than Andy Carroll or Suarez or Adam or Henderson or the whole Liverpool team put together.

He has been the one Liverpool midfield player who has played with purpose and direction every time he stepped on the pitch this season. The Reds need goals from midfield, something that we know Gerrard can provide in abundance, so it's time for the captain to be at his marauding best, starting with Newcastle.

Four seasons ago, Steven Gerrard scored two amazing goals in Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 win over Newcastle in a match best remembered for its post match incident.

This season, he provided Reds fans with tiny globules of hope that Andy Carroll could yet be a success at Liverpool. Coincidentally, that hope came against Newcastle when the Liverpool captain turned in a super-sub performance.

Steven Gerrard has shown brilliance against Newcastle in past matches, he should be expected to carry the hope and expectation of all Liverpool fans today at Newcastle's Sport Direct Arena.

Even with a wayward Liverpool, a meeting with a fellow top six team should bring out the best in the Reds. Knowing Steve Clarke and Kenny Dalglish, they are bound to rest Carroll, which means that midfield runs into the Newcastle box will be the best way to break down a disciplined defence.